ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996 TAG: 9609050083
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER BLACKSBURG
KEN OXENDINE'S time has come when Virginia Tech needs him most.
`OX' CARRIES TECH'S LOAD
Now, two years later, Oxendine is finally set to punch that ticket. Simply validate matters, once and for all.
"I figure my time has come,'' Oxendine said. "Now is the time for me to really let loose, give everybody what they want, and show everybody what I can do.''
For one of Tech's most heralded high school recruits ever, show-and-tell time is finally here.
When the Hokies open the 1996 season at Akron on Saturday night, the Hokies' No.1 tailback job is sole property of Oxendine for the first time.
No more Dwayne Thomas. And for the time being, there's no more Marcus Parker. It's just the "Ox.''
"I've been waiting for this,'' Oxendine said. "It's my time and I'm going to take advantage of every moment I get.
"In the past everything has been sort of halted in a sense that I was more or less backing up. Now in a starting role, I feel like I'm going to be able to improve on everything I've done in the past.''
Translated, that's nothing but good news for the 15th-ranked Hokies. After all, Oxendine hasn't exactly been a bust his first two years. Despite starting only two of 19 college games, the explosive 6-foot-1, 221-pound back has run for 851 yards and six touchdowns. His career yards-per-carry average is an eye-popping 6.1.
Not many people know it, but Oxendine's 593 yards rushing in 1995 ranked fourth in the Big East Conference. Not too shabby for a guy, who, for the most part, has played caddy behind Thomas.
"I feel like I've done some things here that some guys haven't done,'' Oxendine said. "Now, though, I think it's a matter of seeing more of everything I've done the past two years.''
Right now, Tech's featured tailback spot belongs to Oxendine and a cast of unknown and untested freshmen.
Thomas, whose 2,696 yards ranked fourth on the Hokies' career rushing list, is gone. And Parker, who was contesting Oxendine for the starting job, has been pushed aside for an indefinite time by a suspension for a shoplifting conviction.
"It's Ken's show right now,'' said Frank Beamer, Tech coach. "I think this will be the year when Ken Oxendine takes his game to another level. Heck, he hasn't been bad his first two years.''
Oxendine never complained about his backup role the past two seasons. A former high school All-American - he ran for 3,256 yards and 34 touchdowns at Chester's Thomas Dale High - he rarely second-guessed his role behind Thomas.
"Dwayne was a great back and I knew it,'' he said. "I understood the situation. Sure, there are some times you wonder why you're not in the game. But I just kept telling myself that my time would come eventually.''
Oxendine and Parker, the former Salem High star, were listed as co-starters when Tech opened fall practice. That competition ended abruptly when Parker was suspended from the team on Aug.13.
"I was disappointed about that,'' Oxendine said. "I like Marcus. All the running backs are pretty close.''
Off the field, that is. Not on. Oxendine possesses skills that are anything but routine.
"He's a guy who can go all the way every time he touches the ball,'' said Billy Hite, Tech's running backs coach.
"There's not many like that. Plus, he's big and strong enough to run inside and get the tough yards He's the complete package, no doubt.''
Oxendine, who is the only Tech back the past 20 years to score three times on runs of 50 or more yards, isn't skeptical about finally being "da man'' for the Hokies.
"I do feel confident,'' he said. "I have an outstanding line in front of me, and with Jim [Druckenmiller, quarterback] coming off a great season throwing the ball, that plays a big part in the running game.
"I feel we'll be able to do both. And that's going to open up something so I can find my holes, get to my holes and make some big plays.''
Indeed, Oxendine appears to have a firm handle on everything these days. And that includes the football. Oxendine, particularly in his freshman season, has been fumble-prone.
"Everybody wants to talk about my fumbles,'' he said, laughing. "Well, that's all behind me now. I think most of that came from the pressure of not starting and trying to do too much, trying too hard to show everyone I could perform.
"Now, though, I'm an authority on the subject. I did some high school clinics this summer on how to hold onto the football. I'm certain Coach Hite loved hearing that.''
Oxendine has no plans on fumbling his shot as Tech's No.1 overland weapon.
"I think I can be the best tailback in the Big East,'' Oxendine said. "I'm sure I'm one of the best, but whether I'm the best, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
"All I know is the cream always rises to the top. And I think now you can see the true cream at the top.''
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN KIM/Staff. Virginia Tech running back Ken Oxendineby CNBarrived in Blacksburg with much acclaim from high school. Now he's
prepared to make noise at the
collegiate level. color.